Butterfly Conservation

Butterflies are valuable components of our environment. From the grassland-dependent species of the Pacific Northwest to swallowtails of Central and South America, we work to conserve butterflies and moths throughout the world. The Red List of butterflies and moths assessed the conservation needs of some of the most at risk North American species. The Xerces Society works with state and federal agencies, landowners, and other nonprofit organizations to achieve effective Lepidoptera conservation.

Features

Xerces is now reviewing applications for the 2015 Joan DeWind AwardWe are now reviewing proposals for the 2015 DeWind Award. This award provides two students each year with an award of $3,750 each for research into the conservation of Lepidoptera, made possible by the generosity of Bill DeWind, husband of longtime Xerces supporter and pioneering member Joan Mosenthal DeWind. Read more

Xerces, Other Conservation Leaders Participate in White House Pollinator Initiative Meeting
Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, attended the White House Pollinator Initiative Stakeholder meeting Wednesday, and provided oral and written comments on how the White House can protect the diverse array of pollinators.Read the press release and Xerces’ comments

Study Looks at How Controlled Burning Affects Rare Butterfly
A new study from the Xerces Society shows that caution should be used when applying prescribed fire in rare butterfly habitat. This study highlights the need to leave substantial habitat when using fire as a management tool for mardon skippers, and likely other imperiled butterflies.Read more and download the report

Monarch CampaignThe Xerces Society works to protect the sites where monarchs thrive, breed, migrate, and overwinter.Read more

SE Monarchs, Milkweeds, & HostplantsThe Florida Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with the Xerces Society, the Butterfly Conservation Initiative, and the U.S. Forest Service, has created educational brochures for the Southeastern and Eastern U.S., about milkweeds, monarchs, and other regional butterfly host plants.Click here for the Southeast brochure. Click here for the Eastern U.S. brochure.